SET UP THE STRUCTURE

The structure of the CD-ROM requires that the files are located in one directory path. If the files are in several directories, they must be consolidated into the final structure that is required. Use the command cp -R /home/accounts/jim/files/* /home/accounts/jim/cdrom to make the structure. If the directories contain more than 1000 files, cp will complain of too many arguments, so cut it up by using *.sd or some other logical division. This is only necessary for the cp command and is not a limit of the CD-ROM. Give the sub directories meaningful names. Remove any undesired or irrelevant files, like backups, copies, core dumps and links. This will make a clean, ordered and easy to read CD-ROM. The CD-ROM can contain 650 mbytes, so use du -k to check the size.

Another way, is to consolidate the files when making the image. This is harder to establish the size of the CD-ROM, and if oversize may result in a corrupt disc. If undersize, then wasted space. When the image yourname.raw has been made, then check its size before making the CD-ROM. When consolidating the files, it is not as easy to make the structure correct. A little thought is needed. The only way to check is to look at the CD-ROM after it has been made. There is no way to check the raw image.

MAKE THE IMAGE

Log into srsunm as super user. Change to the CD-ROM special directory, /export/home/cdrom.

Make the CD image, using the command....
nice /usr/common/bin/mkisofs -r -l -o yourname.raw /home/accounts/jim/cdrom
This makes an ISO9660 file system (with long file names) which is the CD-ROM image and it is called yourname.raw in this case. It takes about 5 minutes.

If the files are not in one directory, then use the command .....
nice /usr/common/bin/mkisofs -r -l -o yourname.raw HECTOR/MC=/home/accounts/MC HECTOR/JP=/home/phys/JP HECTOR/MC=/home/token/SP
This will make a structure with the CD-ROM called HECTOR and 3 subdirectories called MC, JP, and SP.
This method removes the step of copying the files to one central place, but the structure cannot be verified until the CD-ROM has been made.
It is slower to make the image, but faster than copying them.
 

MAKE THE CD-ROM

Log into srsunm as super user. Change to the CD-ROM special directory, /export/home/cdrom. Put a blank CD into the drive, don't close the drawer.
Test the process first by using the command....
/usr/common/bin/cdrecord -v -eject -dummy fs=32m speed=6 dev=6,0 yourname.raw
Make the CD, using the command....
/usr/common/bin/cdrecord -v -eject fs=32m speed=6 dev=6,0 yourname.raw

This makes the CD and ejects it when finished. It takes about 3 minutes. Put the CD in another Sun or PC to check it. (The PC will make all files upper case and may shorten filenames to the 8.3 format).

MAKE A LABEL

Log on to the DIGITAL PC and run the program in the CD-ROM PRODUCTION directory called DESIGN EXPRESS. Edit the label picture and add any contents list and Title. Test print on a sheet of paper. When it is correct, put a label sheet in the printer, and print it. Use the tool to attach the label to the CD-ROM as it is important that the label is centred. If not, the vibration from the high speed may make the CD-ROM unreadable. Put the label writing side down on the top circle. Place the CD-ROM writing side down on the top peg. Push the blue peg down gently till the label contacts the CD-ROM. Remove the CD-ROM and smooth out any wrinkles.

16 December 1999